The La Rojas appears to be one of the best teams at the tournament in terms of ball possession. The team must avoid dropping points against a Slovakian side that will be battling for just a point to book a place in the next round of the competition.
Luis Enrique, the head coach, had wanted to go into the last pool match “with six points and no goals conceded,” he admitted. “But now we face a decisive moment.”
On the other hand, leaders Sweden will be hoping to book a place in the knockout stages as they face Poland in St Petersburg on Wednesday.
Though both sides are often prosaic in their approach, Poland’s growing confidence and greater desire to seal the win should prove enough to crack a resolute Sweden rearguard.
Sweden will progress if they simply avoid defeat while Poland must win to snatch a place in the top two, having picked up a solitary point from their first two games.